Pakistan's Rice Exports Boom, but Quality Concerns Remain

Pakistan's rice exports to China have seen significant growth in recent months, reaching $122.99 million in the first seven months of 2026, a 200 percent increase from the same period last year.

Shipment volumes grew even faster, rising 265 percent to nearly 361,000 metric tons. The figures have drawn attention in Islamabad and suggest Pakistan could become more than an occasional supplier to China.

The growth is real, but becoming a 'major partner' is a different question. Rice remains the clearest success story, with milled long-grain rice bringing in $58.10 million during the first seven months of 2026, a 76 percent year-on-year increase.